Betsy Brown Braun

Child Development and Behavior Specialist. Parent Educator. Best Selling Author

Empathy

Empathy is a Two Way Street

by on , under Adolescents, Behavior, Brat-Proofing, Character traits, Child development, Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Expectations, Parent modeling, Parenting, Relationships, Toddlers

Cultivating empathy is a hot topic in the parenting world.  Current research has demonstrated that children under a year not only have the capacity for empathy but actually exhibit empathy. (Regarding infants:  http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201306/empathy-appears-in-infancy-varies-age-and-gender   Regarding toddlers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX6krHsZA_w .) But parents, usually not educated to recognize and encourage this trait in their very young children, are … [Read more...] about Empathy is a Two Way Street

Being Neighborly

by on , under Communication, Elementary School Children, Environmental influences, Parenting, Public Behavior, Relationships, Safety, Sensitive Topics, Toddlers

Keeping your child safe, (also the name of a seminar I offer), is every parent’s top priority. And each time the internet explodes with news of another abuse to a child, parents are shaken to the core. Fear reverberates across the county, and we ask, “How did that happen?” and  “What could have been done to prevent such a nightmare?”  Such is the case with the heart-stopping news of Amanda Berry’s, Gina de Jesus’ and Michelle Knight’s  abduction and final escape from the living hell of Ariel … [Read more...] about Being Neighborly

Lousy Local Conditions

by on , under Behavior, Character traits, Communication, Discipline, Environmental influences, Expectations, Parenting

While I cannot take credit for inventing the expression lousy local conditions, I use it all the time. It’s just so right-on-the-button. Lousy local conditions refers to those times when a child’s less than perfect behaviors are magnified or even created by the conditions of his environment. The child who has missed a nap or a meal, who went to sleep late or woke up too early, who has been dragged on too many errands, who has attended one birthday party too many, who had a bad day at school, … [Read more...] about Lousy Local Conditions

Olympic Idols

by on , under Adolescents, Child development, Parenting

It seems like there is something for everyone in this Winter Olympics, and it’s easy to become an addict. The entire event is packed with heart-racing excitement as well as examples of natural talent, acquired skill, and athleticism.  Don’t you just sit on the edge of your chair? But there is more.  While I am a believer in limited screen time for children, especially commercial television, the Olympics are providing our children (and us) with important lessons and messages that are hard to … [Read more...] about Olympic Idols

Talking to Children About Haiti

by on , under Character traits, Child development, Communication, Parent modeling, Parenting, Safety, Sensitive Topics

There is no debate that the disaster in Haiti is just that, a disaster. But there are differing opinions about whether young children should be exposed to this news. While I suggest that you have a look at chapter 11 (Is the Fire Going to Come to Our House?" Answering questinos about Natural Disasters, Terrorism, and War) in my book,  Just Tell me What to Say, I offer a few pointers in the meantime. Of course it is wholly up to you whether and what you tell your children about the … [Read more...] about Talking to Children About Haiti